Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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Cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that can be used to help manage
bipolar disorder.

Psychotherapy
may involve a one-on-one interaction with a therapist. It may also involve group
sessions that include the therapist and other people with similar issues.

Although there
are many approaches, they all involve helping patients manage their thoughts,
perceptions, and behavior. Psychotherapy is also a resource for finding healthy
ways to deal with problems.

How does cognitive behavioral therapy fit into your treatment?

Usually, the
core treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and
psychotherapy. CBT is one of the more common types of psychotherapy.

CBT can be
used in a number of ways, including:

managing
the symptoms of mental illnesses

preventing
a relapse into those symptoms

learning
effective coping techniques to help control emotions and stress

acting
as an alternative treatment when medications are ineffective or not an option

How does cognitive behavioral therapy work?

The primary
goal of CBT is to help you gain a new outlook on your situation. It does this
by directly challenging negative thoughts and fears and teaching you to control
or get rid of them.

The therapy
is generally short-term and directly focused on eliminating or managing
specific problems. It involves contributions from you and the therapist.

During a CBT
session, you and the therapist will work together to:

1. Determine
the problem.

This can be
mental or physical illness, work or relationship stress, or anything else that’s
bothering you.

2. Examine
the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions associated with these problems.

Once the
problems are identified, you will work with the therapist to begin looking at
how you’re reacting to those problems.

3. Spot
negative or inaccurate thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

There are a
number of ways you can perceive or deal with an issue that actually worsens the
problem. This can include thinking negatively about yourself or focusing on the
negative aspects of a situation or occurrence.

4. Change
your reaction to personal issues.

During a
session, you and the therapist work together to replace these negative thoughts
with more positive or constructive ones. These can include thinking positively
about your ability to cope and attempting to view a situation more objectively.

Who can take cognitive behavioral therapy?

Cognitive
behavioral therapy can be effective on nearly everyone in various situations.

Psychotherapy
can be accessed in a number of settings, including hospitals and through
private practices. CBT is one of the more common types of therapy. Many employers
offer psychotherapy through their employee assistance programs.

What are the side effects?

There are no
direct physical side effects to psychotherapy. However, if you decide to try
CBT, you must be prepared to talk openly about your issues with a therapist or
even a group of people. This can be discomforting and a difficult obstacle to
overcome.

Overview

CBT is a
popular treatment that can be applied to a wide range of issues, including the
management of bipolar disorder. The treatment focuses on identifying your
problems and your reactions to them. It then determines which of those
reactions are unhealthy and replaces them with healthier alternatives.